Went to the range looking for IPSC guys, but found the cowboy shooters instead. They looked like they were really having a good time. I stayed to watch for a while, then I asked about IPSC and one of the shooters said go talk to the guy in the black hat. I walked over, but lots of guys were wearing black hats so I just picked one. Turns out he was the RO who ran IPSC all last year. Very nice guy. He hung up his spurs and we went over to the IPSC bays where he spent two hours showing me how it was all supposed to work. I had my gun with me (a Matthew Mink worked CZ75B) so he set up a few stages and we walked through them. Of course I sucked but he was very kind. He said if I did what he said I wouldn't DQ and if I didn't DQ (based on how he saw me shoot) he guaranteed that I wouldn't come in last.
The most important point he made, other than the points about safety, was that speed was not as important as accuracy...at least when you're starting out. He suggested that I literally walk through the stages, drawing and shooting in extreme slow motion and that the only thing I concentrate on was seeing the front sight and making deliberate, aimed, shots.
Darn, I appreciated all his effort. My first match is this coming sunday. He said let the RO know I that this was my first time. That the RO would appreciate it and give me some extra scrutiny with respect to the 180 rule, the above the berm rule, and the sweeping rule.
My goal this weekend is to be safe, not get DQ'd, hit a few 5's and have fun. If anyone has any further advice, I'm all ears.
BTW he loved my gun, but said my reloads were too soft (4.2 231 under Montana 124 RN). Said it wouldn't make minor. So today I tried out some heavier stuff (3.5 231 under 147 Montana RN). This load grouped pretty will at 30 feet. Again, if you have pet loads, I'd love to try them.
Hope I have fun. There's a lot to learn about but he says there will be at least two Grand Masters so I'll have some good models to look at. He also says DON'T try to be as fast as them, just slo-motion through the stages and I'll be fine.
Got butterflies already and there are six days to go.
The most important point he made, other than the points about safety, was that speed was not as important as accuracy...at least when you're starting out. He suggested that I literally walk through the stages, drawing and shooting in extreme slow motion and that the only thing I concentrate on was seeing the front sight and making deliberate, aimed, shots.
Darn, I appreciated all his effort. My first match is this coming sunday. He said let the RO know I that this was my first time. That the RO would appreciate it and give me some extra scrutiny with respect to the 180 rule, the above the berm rule, and the sweeping rule.
My goal this weekend is to be safe, not get DQ'd, hit a few 5's and have fun. If anyone has any further advice, I'm all ears.
BTW he loved my gun, but said my reloads were too soft (4.2 231 under Montana 124 RN). Said it wouldn't make minor. So today I tried out some heavier stuff (3.5 231 under 147 Montana RN). This load grouped pretty will at 30 feet. Again, if you have pet loads, I'd love to try them.
Hope I have fun. There's a lot to learn about but he says there will be at least two Grand Masters so I'll have some good models to look at. He also says DON'T try to be as fast as them, just slo-motion through the stages and I'll be fine.
Got butterflies already and there are six days to go.